McConnell Threatens Filibuster Changes Will Lead to Scorched Earth Senate As Debate Heats Up By Spectrum News Staff Nationwide UPDATED 8:50 PM ET Mar. 16, 2021 PUBLISHED 3:45 PM ET Mar. 16, 2021 PUBLISHED 3:45 PM EDT Mar. 16, 2021
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The battle over the legislative filibuster, the 60-vote threshold by which debate can be brought to a close in the Senate, is heating up as progressive Democrats call on leadership to abolish the rule.
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) warned in a floor speech Tuesday that Democrats changing filibuster rules would lead to a “completely scorched earth Senate
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, said of McConnell’s threat to shut down the Senate that “he has already done that. He’s proven he can do i
PUBLISHED 5:34 AM ET Mar. 17, 2021 PUBLISHED 5:34 AM EDT Mar. 17, 2021
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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer is backing the push to legalize adult-use cannabis in New York as the measure gains ground for potential passage in the coming days in Albany.
At the same time, Schumer raised the possibility of the bill s approval being a harbinger for easing federal marijuana policy in the future.
Schumer on Tuesday tweeted his support for the measure, which would allow for the legal sale of cannabis products and allow people to grow a limited number of marijuana plants in their homes. As a deal comes close to getting done, I urge our leaders in Albany to keep front and center the effort to repair the harm done by marijuana prohibition, Schumer said.
PUBLISHED 9:02 AM ET Mar. 17, 2021 PUBLISHED 9:02 AM EDT Mar. 17, 2021
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New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine announced that the Assembly has retained the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP to lead the impeachment investigation into the mounting allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“Since Thursday, Chairman Lavine led a vigorous search for a top-flight firm to assist with the investigation. I have the utmost faith that Assemblymember Lavine and our Judiciary Committee will conduct a full and fair investigation,” Speaker Heastie said. “Hiring Davis Polk will give the Committee the experience, independence, and resources needed to handle this important investigation in a thorough and expeditious manner.”
Why Biden s Stance on Cuomo Could Be Key PUBLISHED 1:38 PM ET Mar. 17, 2021 PUBLISHED 1:38 PM EDT Mar. 17, 2021
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More than a decade ago, a Democratic president s allies delivered an uncomfortable message to an embattled Democratic New York governor: For the good of the party, don t seek re-election. The president then was Barack Obama. The governor, David Paterson.
The move to sideline Paterson benefited the ambitious attorney general at the time, Andrew Cuomo.
Could history repeat itself? President Joe Biden, the defacto head of the Democratic Party, is yet to call for Cuomo to resign or not run for re-election. But in an interview with
UPDATED 9:33 PM ET Mar. 16, 2021 PUBLISHED 8:23 PM ET Mar. 16, 2021 PUBLISHED 8:23 PM EDT Mar. 16, 2021
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The impeachment investigation into the numerous scandals facing Governor Andrew Cuomo is progressing, but some might argue not very quickly.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said it is important that this investigation continue without time constraints.
“I do think it should be done expeditiously,” Speaker Heastie said. “But to say you have to come back with a decision in a week, or two weeks, or a month, would be unfair to the process of an investigation. I don t have an answer as to how long.
State Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy criticized Democratic lawmakers, saying that they are trying to drag out the impeachment process in order to give majority leaders leverage during budget negotiations.